Supplemental theatrics now officially tedious

President Bush got back from Tampa and promptly vetoed the war funding supplemental — just the second veto of his presidency. It was all so anti-climactic. No chairs or punches thrown, the same old rhetoric. Was there any point to all of this?

“It makes no sense to tell the enemy when you plan to start withdrawing. All the terrorists would have to do is mark their calendars and gather their strength — and begin plotting how to overthrow the government and take control of the country of Iraq,” Bush said in a brief national address.

The Democrats timed delivery of the bill to the fourth anniversary of Bush’s speech aboard the USS Lincoln, Bush timed delivery of his rejoinder for the first half of the evening network news. The Democrats scrambled a response to make the same broadcast. Timing, theatrics, nothingness — you’re forgiven if you feel slightly urpy about all this.

“The president may be content with keeping our troops mired in the middle of an open-ended civil war, but we’re not, and neither are most Americans,” said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Added House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California: “If the president thinks that what is happening on the ground in Iraq now is progress, as he said in his comments tonight, then it’s clear to see why we have a disagreement on policy with him.”

Tomorrow afternoon they will all meet behind closed doors at the White House to starting banging away at some new agreement. Prediction: The discussion will be “frank” and “open.”